Canoe seat support

ABSTRACT

A low centroid canoe seat support is provided which is mountable to a canoe and that receives a boat seat having standard three-quarter inch post pin. As the support is compatible with standard post boat seats, the apparatus allows the rider to customize the canoe to meet his or her individual comfort and mobility needs without increasing the likelihood of a capsizing event. The low centroid canoe seat support comprises a support, a standard post receiver, a stiffener plate, and a mounting means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to the canoe seat industry and, more particularly, to a low centroid canoe seat support. The low centroid canoe seat support maintains a standard, rotatable boat seat having padded posterior support and padded back support, such that the centroid of a rider is positioned sufficiently low in the canoe to resist capsizing effects.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Many canoe seat and seat supports have been developed in the past in an attempt to balance opposing goals of canoe stability and rider comfort. As the centroid, or center-of-mass, of the rider is raised to a position comfortable for the rider, the canoe becomes less stable and more conducive to capsizing.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,285 discloses a canoe backrest which is removably supported by the gunwales of the canoe and provides back support to the rider. However, this system requires the posterior of the rider to rest on the hull of the canoe. While this keeps the centroid of the rider sufficiently low, the rider is uncomfortably situated.

[0006] Alternatively, U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,825 discloses a canoe seat which provides for posterior support of the rider in a low centroid position, but fails to provide the rider with the comforts of back support.

[0007] Presently, Coleman markets a canoe rider support device which is marketed as the “Stadium/Boat Seat Back.” This device attaches to an existing seat of a Coleman canoe and provides both posterior and back support. However, the rider is limited to using the seat back on a Coleman canoe and has no options to customize the canoe seat or seat back to his or her comfort and mobility needs.

[0008] For these reasons, it would be advantageous to have a canoe seat support which is compatible with a boat seat having a standard post, allowing the rider to utilize any seat that achieves the comfort and mobility requirements of the rider, while also resisting capsizing events.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A low centroid canoe seat support in accordance with the present invention comprises an aluminum support that is affixed to gunwales of a canoe.

[0010] The low centroid canoe seat support in accordance with the present invention also comprises a cylindrical standard post receiver affixed to the support and connectable with any seat having a standard post.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating the canoe, support, and boat seat with standard post.

[0012]FIG. 1A is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating the canoe, support, and boat seat with standard post, and depicting seat in rotated position.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a section view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating the canoe, support, and boat seat with standard post.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a section view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating only the support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] The following illustrative description of the present invention is provided to facilitate an understanding of the invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention to any specific form.

[0016] With reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention comprises a support 1, a seat post receiver 2, a seat post receiver stiffener plate 3, and a support attaching means 4. While a preferred embodiment of the present device comprises components composed of aluminum, any other sturdy, corrosion-resistant material may be utilized including, but not limited to, stainless steel, galvanized steel, fiberglass, and polymer-based materials. Vertical members of support carriage 1 are attached to gunwales 5A of canoe hull 5. The vertical members of support carriage 1 are preferably attached to gunwales 5A by bolts 4; however, any other attaching means may be utilized including, but not limited to, latch hooks, welds, rivots, and epoxy.

[0017] With reference to FIG. 2, a standard post seat receiver 2 is rigidly connected with support carriage 1 such that the receiver is aligned with keel 5B of boat hull 5. A standard seat post 6A of seat 6 is removably connected with seat post receiver 2. A preferred embodiment of the present device discloses a standard post seat receiver supporting a standard three-quarter inch diameter pin.

[0018] With reference to FIG. 3, seat post 2 is braced to support 1 by rigidly connected stiffener plate 3.

[0019] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 1A, a standard post boat seat 6, is rotatably connected with post receiver 2 permitting seat to swivel 360 degrees.

[0020] While the present invention is intended to provide a low centroid support for a standard boat seat, a preferred embodiment of the present invention also provides the canoe with increased rigidity. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus in a canoe for supporting a boat seat having a standard post pin, comprising: a support having a horizontal member with two vertical members rigidly attached at opposite ends of the horizontal member, said horizontal member having a width less than internal distance between walls of the canoe and said vertical members having a vertical depth less than distance between top of gunwales and hull floor of the canoe; means for connecting the vertical members of the support to the gunwales of the canoe; and a receiving device which is affixed to the center of the horizontal member for engagement with the standard post pin of the boat seat.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving device is a cylindrical pipe welded to center of horizontal member of support.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pipe is an aluminum pipe.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the pipe has an inside diameter of three-quarter inches.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said horizontal member and vertical members comprise a bent plate.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said bent plate is aluminum.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a boat seat having a three-quarter inch diameter post pin and both back and posterior support. 